Emirates hand luggage limits at a glance
Cabin bag (overhead locker)
Economy
55 × 38 × 20 cm
21.5 × 15 × 8 in
7 kg (15 lb)
Included in the fare
The cabin bag on Economy fares can measure up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.5 × 15 × 8 in) and weigh up to 7 kg (15 lb). It is included in the fare. Dimensions include wheels and handles — measure the bag packed, not empty, because a full front pocket can add a couple of centimetres.
Airlines change cabin-bag rules often. These figures were checked in September 2026. Always confirm on Emirates’s official baggage page (opens in a new tab) before you fly — the airline’s own rules apply at the gate.
How to pack for Emirates’s limits
The 55 × 38 × 20 cm cabin bag is a standard overhead-bin size. A soft-sided bag gives you more room for the same outer dimensions than a hard shell, and packing cubes stop it bulging past the depth limit.
- Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane — they don’t count towards the bag.
- Roll or fold clothes into packing cubes and keep the bag’s depth in check; depth is the measurement most bags fail.
- Plan outfits that share pieces, so three tops and two bottoms cover a week. The outfit planner works this out per day.
- Weigh the packed bag at home: 7 kg (15 lb) is the limit to beat. Luggage scales are cheap and save surprises at the gate.
For a full list built around a small bag, see the carry-on only packing list and our guide to packing carry-on only for a week.
Liquids in hand luggage
Most airports still limit cabin liquids to containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) in one clear 1-litre bag. Some airports with new scanners allow more — check your departure airport before you fly.
How Emirates compares
If your bag is at Emirates’s cabin bag limit (55 × 38 × 20 cm), it also fits the matching rule at 6 other airlines we track:
- easyJet — Large cabin bag add-on: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Ryanair — Priority & 2 cabin bags: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- British Airways — Economy: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Southwest — All fares: 61 × 41 × 25 cm
- Lufthansa — Economy: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
- TAP Air Portugal — Classic: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Want one bag for every airline? Taking the smallest length, width and depth across all cabin-bag rules we track gives 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.5 × 14 × 8 in): a bag within that size fits all of them. Sides are compared longest to longest, because a bag can be turned to fit the sizer.
Longest side 55 cm is 21.5 in. Inches are rounded to the nearest half inch.
Emirates hand luggage: quick answers
What size carry-on does Emirates allow?
The cabin bag on Economy fares can measure up to 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.5 × 15 × 8 in) and weigh up to 7 kg (15 lb). It is included in the fare. Checked September 2026 — confirm on Emirates’s own page before you fly.
Does Emirates weigh hand luggage?
Emirates publishes a 7 kg (15 lb) limit for the cabin bag. A packed bag adds up fast: a typical empty wheeled cabin case weighs around 2–3 kg.
Will my Emirates bag fit on other airlines?
A bag at Emirates’s cabin bag limit (55 × 38 × 20 cm) also fits the matching limits of easyJet (Large cabin bag add-on), Ryanair (Priority & 2 cabin bags), British Airways (Economy), Southwest (All fares), Lufthansa (Economy), TAP Air Portugal (Classic), based on the rules we track.